the deficit. so it shouldn't be surprising, given all this talk, that the american people think washington is hurting, rather than helping, the country at the moment. they see their representatives consumed with partisan brinksmanship over paying our bills, while they overwhelmingly want us to focus on growing the economy and creating more jobs. so let's finish this debate. let's give our businesses and the world the certainty that our economy and our reputation are still second to none. we pay our bills. we handle our business. and then we can move on -- because america has a lot to do. we've got to create more jobs. ofve got to boost the wages those who have work. we've got to reach for energy independence. we've got to reform our immigration system. we've got to give our children the best education possible, and we've got to do everything we can to protect them from the horrors of gun violence. and let me say i'm grateful to vice president biden for his work on this issue of gun violence and fo